We Are Well Able
Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” -- Numbers 13:30 (NKJV)
I am a grateful empty nester. Yet, I once thought this was impossible. My child-rearing years can be summed up as, “God, autism, and me.”
Our youngest son was diagnosed with a developmental delay around the age of two. That diagnosis was later amended to fall under the autism spectrum umbrella. The first encounter with the county psychologist was discouraging. We could have accepted her conclusion and remained hopeless at a time when resources for autism were scarce.
But God.
My experience raising kids with vast differences (one with special needs and another who was an exceedingly high achiever) taught me that I don’t have to have all the answers. Like Caleb, my confidence was grounded in God’s faithfulness not the obvious challenges before us. I didn’t know how to defeat our giants. But I trusted God to get us through our trials and into better circumstances.
God equips us to raise the children He gives us. Though almost imaginable as my youngest child struggled through school, I found this to be true. Miracle after miracle confirmed His presence. Our Father continually provided the right people at the right time at every point along our journey.
Prayer and persistence pushed us through trials and over obstacles. Speech therapy, Individual Education Plans, karate classes, and hours of tutoring eventually paid off. My youngest son graduated high school with honors and earned a bachelor’s degree in computer animation while studying in Florida.
Interestingly enough, he told us that he was going to live in Orlando when he was about seven years old. We of little faith merely laughed it off. Yet God had the last laugh and made his dream a reality. He now lives independently fulfilling his dream of working at the Disney theme parks.
Parenting is a process. We learn as much as we teach. Parenting is also painful. Like our Father, we can’t spare our children every hurt. They must learn to endure as well. Consequences teach wisdom. Disappointment builds resilience. We cannot allow the fear of making a mistake to keep us from making tough decisions. We must trust our Father for insight, direction, and correction as we train our children in the way they should go.
Embrace grace. Be flexible. Seek God’s word for answers.
We are well able.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. -- Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)
Questions for Reflection:
1. Think of a time when God made a way as you faced a difficult parenting decision?
2. List three areas in which you should rely more on God as you care for others.
